September 2024 graduation season

Dear colleagues and students

One of the most important periods on the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) calendar is almost upon us. The September 2024 graduation season – a time of elation and ecstasy – will commence from Monday, 2 September until Wednesday, 4 September 2024.

I am looking forward to this time of celebration for our graduands – punctuated by praise and ululation from the congregation – as we host seven ceremonies during the three days. This graduation season will see no less than 2 079 students being capped, with 160 of these receiving PhD degrees.

• See the full schedule of September 2024 graduation ceremonies.

We will also confer an honorary doctorate on Dr Debbie Bradshaw during the September graduation season. Honorary doctorates are conferred on distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their fields, and there can be no doubt that Dr Bradshaw is worthy of this honour.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT to confer honorary doctorate on Dr Bradshaw.

For those who are not able to join us in person at the Sarah Baartman Hall, all the ceremonies will be live-streamed on the UCT graduation feature page and the university’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) social media platforms. Furthermore, recordings will be made available on the UCT YouTube channel as well as on the graduation feature page.

This graduation season is going to be special for me, because it will be the first time I have the honour of being part of UCT ceremonies since taking office at the beginning of August 2024. I am therefore eagerly awaiting this graduation season to celebrate our graduands on their big day.

To all our graduands, I wish to convey my words of congratulations on reaching this massive milestone. I commend your resilience, commitment and hard work put in over the years, the direct harvest of which will not only be you walking across the stage in Sarah Baartman Hall, but also your excellence and expertise which I know you will unleash for the betterment of society.

Please remember that as a graduate of our university, it is important to remain connected to the UCT community. I urge you to see yourself as a permanent UCT ambassador and citizen wherever you go. There are several ways to do so, these include participating in Convocation as well as giving back to the university no matter the amount. As UCT alumni when one door opens for you, it is important to walk through that door with confidence, and then to work towards creating or opening doors for others.

I also wish to acknowledge our university staff, as well as our graduands’ families and supporters, whose compassion and care undoubtedly enabled our graduands to reach this milestone.

We look forward to a time of joy and celebration during the upcoming September 2024 graduation ceremonies.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements